Plumber Salary

Hazleton vs Philadelphia: Plumber Salary (2026)

Compare plumber salaries between Hazleton, PA and Philadelphia, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hazleton, PA
$61,842
$29.73/hr
Philadelphia, PA
$76,746
$36.90/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHazleton, PAPhiladelphia, PA
Median Salary$61,842$76,746
Hourly Rate$29.73$36.90
Entry Level (P10)$41,846$49,620
25th Percentile$51,015$62,435
75th Percentile$79,158$106,385
Top Earner (P90)$95,855$145,794
Total Employed77,150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hazleton ($61,842) and Philadelphia ($76,746) plumber salaries.HazletonPhiladelphiaMedian Salary$61,842$76,746Entry Level (P10)$41,846$49,620Top Earner (P90)$95,855$145,794US Median $65,408

Verdict

Philadelphia, PA offers better overall compensation for plumbers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hazleton.

The salary gap between Hazleton and Philadelphia is $14,904 (24.10%). Philadelphia's median is +17.33% compared to the US national median of $65,408.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hazleton spans $54,009,Philadelphia spans $96,174. Philadelphia has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced plumbers.

Hazleton
P10 (Entry)$41,846
P25$51,015
Median$61,842
P75$79,158
P90 (Top)$95,855
Philadelphia
P10 (Entry)$49,620
P25$62,435
Median$76,746
P75$106,385
P90 (Top)$145,794

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Philadelphia ($74,835 effective) pays 17.86% more than Hazleton ($63,493 effective).

Hazleton
Nominal: $61,842
CoL Index: 97.4
Adjusted: $63,493
Philadelphia
Nominal: $76,746
CoL Index: 102.554
Adjusted: $74,835

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hazleton if…

  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Philadelphia if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,746/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($145,794)
  • Larger job market (7,150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,835)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Hazleton grew -8.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 28.8% growth in Philadelphia over the same period.

Hazleton, PA

+-8.8%

$66,164 (2024) → $60,322 (2025)

Philadelphia, PA

+28.8%

$58,110 (2019) → $74,860 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Hazleton or Philadelphia?

Philadelphia has a higher median plumber salary at $76,746/year, compared to Hazleton at $61,842/year — a difference of $14,904 (24.10%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hazleton and Philadelphia?

Hazleton plumbers earn $29.73/hr while Philadelphia hygienists earn $36.90/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hazleton to Philadelphia as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hazleton and Philadelphia. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hazleton = $63,493, Philadelphia = $74,835), job availability (7 vs 7,150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level plumbers earn in Hazleton vs Philadelphia?

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $41,846 in Hazleton and $49,620 in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Samuel Torres, CWP

Career Analyst

Samuel Torres has 10 years of experience in plumbing. He specializes in residential plumbing systems. He has worked with several home improvement companies.

Clinically reviewed by Aisha Patel, CWPData verified by Michael Chen, CWP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.52% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov